timeless, spencer reid [ 1 ]

089. the apprenticeship

"A lot of violence. Were there any other victims?" Spencer asks.

"Uh, actually, yes, but not the human variety." Penelope says. "In the last month, 6 puppies have been suffocated and beaten, and thank God there are no photos, because I draw the line at dead dogs."

"We sure it's the same guy?" Rossi asks.

"Identical DNA samples were found at all the crime scenes, but no match in the CODIS database." Hotch says.

"Even if there was a match, it might not give us an ID." JJ says.

"That sure is a lot of rage. I wonder why he's so angry." Derek says.

"It's about the power. Suffocation takes work." Rossi says. "He likes it up close and personal."

"This unsub's just graduated from animals to human victims. We need to stop him before he goes serial. Wheels up in 30." Hotch says.

+++

"The last dog was found in these bushes over here." Derek says. "The other dogs were found in a similar park not far away."

"Except for the one found in an alley about a mile from here." Spencer says.

"Guys." Derek calls, pointing out a young guy and girl making out. "You remember those days?"

"Mm, not really." Spencer shakes his head.

"Well, where did you hang out as a teenager?" Derek asks.

"Library, chemistry lab, library--"

"No, no, no, no, no. I'm talking about normal, non-genius teenage type of stuff." Derek says.

"The mall, coffee shops, parks." Bedelia lists.

"Exactly." Derek says.

"We passed a mall and two coffee shops on the way here." Spencer says.

"And a high school, too." Derek says.

"That would explain why the unsub's so impulsive. He might still be an adolescent." Spencer says. Derek takes his phone out.

"Well, I need your help, sweetness." Derek replies to whatever Penelope said. "I need you to widen your search for violent offenders in the area to juveniles." He tells her. "Thank you, angel." He hangs up.

+++

"I didn't even know the bureau had a softball team." Blake says.

"Since when do you play?" JJ asks Spencer.

"Since Morgan drafted me." Spencer says.

"Really? Why?" Rossi asks.

"Don't let the skinny geek thing fool you." Derek says. "I know the good doctor's deceptively athletic."

"Oh, it's deceptive, all right." Rossi remarks.

"It's so deceptive, Spence doesn't even know about it." Bedelia smirks, gently squeezing his arm.

"Blake, what did you find out?" Hotch asks, walking over.

"None of the pet owners had much." Blake says. "Each of their dogs just disappeared from their yard."

"But he did get into their yards unnoticed, so that means he stalked them and knew their patterns." JJ says.

"What about the list of juvenile offenders Garcia sent us?" Derek asks.

"Local P.D.'s checking out a few names that caught my eye." Hotch says.

"Excuse me, Agent Hotchner." A detective walks over. "Another woman's body was just found." He informs.